Mass Arrests in El Salvador and Bukele's Election Victory Are the Path to Totalitarianism or Autocracy
Even such statements can be found on the Internet.
On the one hand, Bukele's overwhelming election victory and the absence of mass protests indicate widespread support for his tough measures to combat the gangs that have terrorized the country.
But on the other hand, preventive detention of tens of thousands of suspects without trial creates risks for democratic freedoms and human rights.
Before Bukele came to power in 2019, El Salvador was terrorized by gangs of criminals. They extorted money from businesses and waged bloody fights over spheres of influence. Citizens lived in constant fear.
Relatively young, neatly trimmed, dressed in jeans, Bukele gained popularity through his tough fight against crime. At first he tried to negotiate with the gangsters, but then switched to “iron fist” tactics - he allowed the police to massively arrest all those suspected of having links with gangs.
More than 74,000 people were detained, which is 8% of the young population of El Salvador.
But there are results: the national homicide rate fell from 51 per 100,000 population in 2018 to 3 last year. Ana Rodriguez, a resident of one of the districts, is undoubtedly glad that Bukele managed to defeat banditry, “...During this time, we (Salvadorans) have experienced more than 50 wars, and now everything has changed...”
Therefore, it is difficult to objectively assess the situation. It is necessary to take into account both the desire of citizens for order and the danger of abuse of power. Let's wait and see whether democratic principles will be preserved under the new government or whether authoritarianism will take their place.
#NayibBukeleAfkomst #PresidenteBukele #Salvador #ElSalvadorsBukele #Presidentsverkiezingen
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